Exciting Semi-Final of Buddy’s Got Talent

A large audience was treated to a night of high class entertainment on Friday night last at the semi-final of Buddy’s Got Talent. In all there were 12 acts competing for the 8 places in the final and the adjudicators had a very unenviable task of selecting the 8 to go forward.

Before the competition commenced we were treated to lovely exhibition of Irish dancing from 3 very young ladies, Elle Mulqueen, Chloe Kennelly, and Erica Coonan, which got an appreciative applause from the audience. First of the acts on stage was Damien Nolan who gave a lovely rendition of Over The Rainbow/What A Wonderful World, accompanying himself on the mandolin. Next was Greg Starr with a powerful performance of This Is The Moment, and a crowd-pleasing Mustang Sally. Fionn Ryan-Mulqueen, who is obviously a Tipperary fan, gave us The Tipperary Girl and The Premier Rap. Fionn was the youngest competitor in the competition and great credit to him!

Birr band The 50 Watts were next showing great musical abilities in 2 numbers by the Chilli Peppers and the Coronas which was well received. Also well received was local performer Cian Morris with a polished performance of a cover and an original. Closing the first half was Michael Lambe from Lorrha, who showed his versatility with some excellent piano playing in an original song Emily, and harmonica playing in The Piano Man.

Mikey Finn got the second half off to a flying start with a very strong performance, and he was followed by Bridget Maher from Roscrea who impressed particularly with Ella Fitzgerald’s Too Darn Hot. Robert Glennon from Nenagh gave us Layla, followed by a blues number he finished at 2am that morning! This was all about the talent competition, and told us that his favourites were “Harmony….the Dixie Chicks with the fountain of youth”! Suitably, next on stage was indeed Harmony, 4 young girls who arrange their own harmonies to contemporary songs. They made a very impressive sound indeed. Second last was The Beard Of Zeus, from Borrisokane and Ballinderry. They gave a polished rousing performance, and had great stage presence and harmonies. Last on the night was Michelle O’Dwyer, accompanying herself on guitar to a Sheryl Crow number, and Black Horse and the Cherry Tree, which was a suitably impressive way to round off a fantastic nights entertainment.

While the judges (Noel Ryan, Veronica Crowley, Noel Sheedy) deliberated, the audience votes were counted, and the audience vote winner was Harmony. The judges’ results also selected Greg Starr, Cian Morris, Michael Lambe, Mikey Finn, Bridget Maher, The Beard of Zeus, and Michelle O’Dwyer to join them in the final. This final takes place on Friday 15th April at 9.30 sharp. Be sure to come early as it promised to be a brilliant night’s entertainment!